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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Guide Weather Subscribe Contact Us December 31, 2004 Locals hit health clubs in the wake of the holidays By Ezra Mannix Tidings Correspondent Whether you prefer weights clanging and music blaring, or more solitude and personal attention, if you're looking to get fit in '05, there are more and more ways in Ashland to do it. Every year, about 100 million Americans make New Year's resolutions and only 63 percent of the number-one resolutions are kept through the first two months, according to a University of Washington survey. Improving fitness is always among the top of the list. But deciding on how to get fit and who to listen to are challenges local fitness professionals are ready and willing to listen to. An option of growing local popularity includes places like Ashland Sport Training, a one-on-one facility where customers work with Kit Crumb, a certified personal trainer and former physical therapist, to target the kind of shape they want to be in. It's a less social, more personal atmosphere not influenced by intimidating weightlifters - "screaming and yelling with their hats backwards" -- sometimes found in large gyms, he said. Although conventional wisdom says January is the "gravy" month for the nation's health clubs, Crumb said after New Year's is a time he is generally busier, but not overwhelmingly so. "Last January I had some wholes in my schedule at the beginning of the month, but by the end my schedule I was packed." Laurie Evans of the Ashland Family YMCA echoes that sentiment. Her organization is adding to its repertoire of wellness possibilities in 2005, but not to accommodate a surge in membership. "We don't anticipate a huge influx of people. If so, we are prepared for it if it happens." In response to the growing popularity of crew (rowing) in the region, the YMCA will offer a rowing class starting January 16th for people of all ages and fitness abilities, as well as added tai chi and yoga courses. "(Crew) is a growing sport that works all the major muscles and is non-impact," said Evans, the Health Enhancement Director for the YMCA. As for dedication to fitness, Ashland has always "a little ahead of the game in the trends department," said Crumb. Right now and in 2005, the trend is getting away from slicker gym environments and working in small groups, he said. Those down-home environments are found in places like "Curves," a women's-only fitness club chain that recently opened a branch on "A" Street in Ashland. Also, as baby boomers reach their 60s, there will be more emphasis in reversing the aging process - increasing bone density, for example - in 2005 and 06 than in the early years of the decade, according to Crumb. "Two years ago, it was all about getting the fat off and looking thin. Now, about 60 percent of people I work with want to get fit and 40 percent want to lose weight," he said. "We have focused on nutritional health for a long time, but the exercise part has fallen by the wayside, so we are incorporating that back into our overall health. We're new members to the YMCA, we just joined a week ago," said Nancy Valentine. As for how to stick to resolutions? "Start in July!" said local personal trainer Tanya Dadaos. "Don't have set dates. If you start at a certain time, you end at a certain time." Crumb offered five mantras: "Consistency, doing it two days a week, keeping expectations reasonable, look long term (like six months) and moderation by taking it easy." "My girlfriend encourages me." Said Talent resident and YMCA member Ian Henry. "I am trying to stay focused on my health. A lot of times in life you get distracted by other things, but it's easy for me to stick to it probably because I'm young." In addition to its variety of courses on land or in the saline pool, the YMCA offers personal trainers and staff members on hand to answer questions about techniques to give the facility a personal and less intimidating atmosphere. Skiing, for example, is a sport the staff can offer advice about training for. "Skiers need endurance. Good knee stability and - sometimes folks don't realize - shoulder stability too," said Evans. One YMCA member has been working for just that. His resolution is to get up to Mt. Ashland more in 2005, or "hopefully about 25 times, or 30 if I get a good year in. This makes me so I can keep pulling my brittle old body up there," said Boris Cummings. 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